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“If I choose or not, it is my decision to make,” Gabriel growled.
“No need to worry yourself, my lord. I am here to help you,” Vedoma said in a syrupy voice. “But first, I must divulge a secret.”
“If it’s one of your lies, I…”
“Oh, this secret you will wish to have been a lie, but unfortunately for you, it isn’t,” Vedoma said. “In order for you to become The One and Only, a sacrifice had to be made.”
“What nonsense are you spewing?”
“You couldn’t have imagined a spell made to turn you into the strongest vampire in the Other Realm to not require something in return.”
“Did you choose a sacrifice in my stead?”
“Indeed so,” she said, smirking.
“Tell me who?”
“Such spells work best with your kin’s blood. I chose your firstborn, my lord.”
Gabriel froze. “You are lying, witch. I cannot have children in this state.”
“Ah, but the prophecy says you can. Otherwise, the spell wouldn’t have been able to anchor.”
“Even if Milady is already with child, the baby will not be born until her time.”
“Though on debt, it is because of my strong powers you are able to exist. Once the child is born, you’ll have no choice but to kill her.”
Gabriel lowered himself slowly, gripping the balustrade, still fighting the information he had just received.
“But as you know, I am a kind witch. I will grant you something beyond precious––your happily ever after you so direly wish for. Once the baby is born, the only thing keeping you from killing her will be my spell. Of course, it depends on how attached you would become to the babe. Your fatherly love might hinder the powers of the spell. So be prepared. But all good things come at a price. Until your little Milady arrives, you must join me in creating a kingdom of vampires, lead it, and bring wealth to it. Also, extirpate the rest.” Vedoma smirked, turned her heavy skirts, and left.
In a stupor, Gabriel leaned on the balustrade, flashes of terror sketched across his face. Tears began trickling from his eyes, and pain skewed his expressions. I wished to tell him that I understood. That when he couldn’t stay with me after I gave birth, it was because he already loved our baby so much. That when he tried to kill Athena, it was his adoration for our child that cracked the spell at its seams. I hugged him, though my arms went through him. I kneeled next to him, leaned my head on his shoulder, and sobbed the same heavy tears as him. Before, my mind could never comprehend how killing could mean loving, but I was wrong. Gabriel’s love knew no boundaries. For me. For our child. For us. How could I ever heal his pain? How could we make it all worth it? Was our love enough? But then we had to sacrifice Athena. That was out of the question. I believed he thought so as well.
But what if we found a way to kill Vedoma? What if then we wouldn’t need to hurt anyone? Except for the one who poisoned our lives. She performed both spells. Then it could mean her death would nullify the spells. The risk of defeating Vedoma outweighed the risk of failure. I had to talk to Gabriel. “Do not worry, my love,” I said. “We will find a way.”
I rose to my feet and walked inside the manor, but instead of an opulent room, it fell into an abyss. Numerous scenes revolved around me of everything that happened afterward. Scenes of battle fronts with many magical creatures murdered in cold blood. An open-eyed Solomonarul bleeding from his mouth. Vampires battling others behind him. Gabriel standing on the balcony of Bran castle. Also, him overseeing the construction of his Alterum Regnum castle with Shadow next to him. His somber face unchanging. Him carving our initials on the oak tree he planted. Gabriel, during the World Wars, helping and turning a few, killing others. And lastly, Gabriel lying in bed, looking blankly at the ceiling. I fell through the same ceiling and saw the seer before my eyes.
“That was fast,” she said.
“Fast for you,” I said, trying to contain my tears.
“Well, it took around five minutes.”
“It was ten lifetimes for me.”
“Did you get the answer to all your questions?” the seer asked, still chewing gum.
“I did, but how I wish all of this wasn’t real.”
“Reality is usually what you deem of it. Anything can still change.”
“I believe so too. I trust everything has a chance of a resolution.” I blankly stared beyond the seer. “I must go. How much do I owe you?”
“Bring the chance to a resolution, and then we can talk. I’ll see you around, Milady,” said the seer as she rose and extended a hand.
I shook her hand and ran through the door. I didn’t have time. I had to see Gabriel as soon as possible. A text pinged:
“Hello, my love. I hope you and Athena are well. I miss you both so much. It makes my heart heavy for not having our family together. If you can, please reconsider. Return home, Milady.”
